Technical Abstract:
Entomopathogenic fungi are important biocontrol agents against pest insects and mites. This report, which resulted from a study of mite diversity on coffee plants, was conducted on the Fazenda Boa Esperança, Jeriquara, northeastern Sao Paulo State. From May 2001 to February 2003, we demonstrated the presence of entomopathogenic fungi in mite mummies in the interior of the plant canopy. From one of these specimens, a fungus was isolated and as LECANICILLIUM MUSCARIUM. This is the first report of L. MUSCARIUM from coffee mites in Brasil. Inside the coffee plants we found species of LORRYIA and HOMEOPRONEMATUS (Tydeidae) infected by L. MUSCARIUM. Specimens infected by the fungus were found throughout the year, as many during periods of low relative humidity as during more humid period. Some specimens of mites killed by L. MUSCARIUM were also found outside the interior spaces of the plants on both faces of the coffee leaves.